Iranians protest against Israeli offensive in Gaza

Hundreds of Iranians gathered here Saturday to protest against Israel's offensive against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Raising anti-Israel slogans, the demonstrators blamed the West and the US for "supporting the Zionists".

"Today is the test day for us ... We should defend the oppressed Gazans," Xinhua quoted a university professor as saying while addressing hundreds of protesters in Tehran's Imam Hossein square.

Similar rallies have been held in Tehran during last few days to condemn the killing of innocent people by the Israeli army in Gaza.

On July 8, Israel started a military Operation Protective Edge to stop Gaza rockets fire. Late Thursday, Israel launched a ground operation in the Gaza Strip after days of heavy bombardment. Over 330 Palestinians have been killed and 2,260 others injured during Israel's ongoing offensive on the coastal enclave, according to Gaza medics.